Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 412: Momentum (Part 1)

Cui Du was completely unaware of all this. After vomiting, he leaned on Meng Sanbao’s shoulder and actually fell asleep like that.

Looking at Meng Sanbao’s darkened face, Jiang Shaohua couldn’t help but laugh, "Two hands are better than one. Sorry to trouble you, but send him back to his room to bathe and change clothes."

There was no other option.

Meng Sanbao nodded in agreement.

Being an elder, Cui Ping was not convenient to follow personally, so he signaled to Cui Wang with a glance. Cui Wang understood immediately and stepped forward to support Cui Du’s other arm.

An incense stick’s worth of time later, Cui Du was lying peacefully on his own bed.

Meng Sanbao left with a sullen face, while Cui Wang sat on the chair beside the bed, observing the intoxicated and unconscious "cousin," a long-held suspicion suddenly surged in his mind.

What exactly was the background of this Cui Du?

Where did he learn this skill and ability in farming?

The Commandery Princess went to great lengths for his identity, even owing the Cui Family a favor, just to make him a member of the Cui Family. Could it be that the Commandery Princess knew of his abilities from the start?

Some people mutter nonsense when drunk; might Cui Du talk in his sleep, revealing some unknown secrets?

Cui Wang quickly made up his mind that he wouldn’t sleep tonight; he would stay by the bedside all night.

The next morning, Cui Du woke up leisurely and, upon opening his eyes, was met with a pair of bloodshot eyes.

"Cousin!" Cui Du was both surprised and touched, "Why haven’t you slept all night?"

Cui Wang, with a complicated smile, replied, "You were drunk last night, and I was worried, so I stayed by your side. Fortunately, you slept soundly all night."

Cui Du rubbed his forehead, sat up, and casually joked, "I’ve slept well since childhood, falling asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow, without snoring or talking in my sleep."

Indeed!

After a whole night of waiting, not a word of sleep-talking was heard.

Internally, Cui Wang sighed with frustration, but of course, he didn’t show it, and with a smile, he said, "Now that you’re awake, go bathe and change into clean clothes. I need to catch up on sleep. I’ll find you again at noon."

Cui Du cheerfully nodded in agreement.

As for Cui Wang’s little unfulfilled expectation, that’s another matter.

After bathing and changing into new clothes, Cui Du went to see the Commandery Princess. Jiang Shaohua had just finished her workout and casually invited Cui Du to join her for breakfast.

Cui Du, thick-skinned, laughed, "I’m really quite hungry now."

Meng Sanbao quietly rolled his eyes.

And why wouldn’t he be? He vomited up everything he ate last night!

...

A few days later, the County Magistrates from the Fourteen Counties arrived at the Prince Mansion one after another.

At the end of each year, the County Magistrates have to come to the Nanyang Prince Mansion, first to pay respects to the Commandery Princess, second to report on their duties, and third to seize the opportunity to get acquainted. Over the years, the County Magistrates have evolved from initial nervousness to being very accustomed to this routine, and they even look forward to it before the lunar month begins.

According to past practices, only three County Magistrates get to stay inside the Prince Mansion, while the other eleven have to be accommodated outside. The oldest and most experienced County Magistrate Ma, who has rendered distinguished service, inevitably secured one spot. County Magistrate Chen, loyal and in charge of the mines for the Commandery Princess, naturally stayed in the Prince Mansion as well. As for the third spot, it goes without saying; it’s always County Magistrate Cai.

In the first year, the eleven County Magistrates were not content with this arrangement. By now, all of them, even the proud County Magistrate Cui, are fully convinced of County Magistrate Cai’s worthiness.

The County Magistrates each settled down, and during their free time while waiting for the Commandery Princess’s summoning, they mingled and visited each other.

County Magistrate Zou and County Magistrate Wu were the most familiar with each other, and they naturally gravitated together. When it comes to gossiping, men can be even more talkative than women. The two County Magistrates first exchanged some official pleasantries, and as their conversation heated up, they dismissed their attendants and leaned their heads together.

"In a few days, Mr. Cui will become Elder Changning," County Magistrate Zou smiled softly, "Such a young and talented man is certainly no less than Fourth Young Master Wang and Young Master Zheng."

County Magistrate Wu immediately corrected him in a low voice, "Fourth Young Master Wang and Young Master Zheng have good family backgrounds and have served as the Crown Prince’s Companion since childhood, so their current high positions are natural. Our Mr. Cui, although he comes from a much less prestigious background, is far more talented than those distinguished figures from the Capital City."

"If I were the Commandery Princess, I would also choose Mr. Cui."

County Magistrate Zou shushed him, "Don’t say that carelessly. The Commandery Princess is only fourteen after the New Year, and it will be another year before she comes of age. It’s too early to discuss marriage prospects."

County Magistrate Wu chuckled several times, "Our Commandery Princess acts with foresight, planning ten steps ahead. If she is to take a consort, it must, of course, be someone reliable, good-natured, and capable. Mr. Cui is the most suitable candidate."

County Magistrate Zou nodded in agreement.

The age is just right, for one; Mr. Cui is both good-looking and good-natured, with the ability to farm and improve grain varieties. The Commandery Princess has much better foresight than her late mother, who only cared for appearances.

In another courtyard, County Magistrate Cui and his wife Li Ying were also discussing this matter in low voices.

County Magistrate Cui expressed some regret and lamented, "What a pity that Mr. Cui hails from the Boling Cui Family; how great it would be if he were a son of our Qinghe Cui Family."

Little did they know, when Jiang Shaohua was considering Cui Du’s background, she indeed hesitated between Qinghe Cui Family and Boling Cui Family.

Later, she made up her mind. First, because her aunt, Song, had married into the Boling Cui Family, providing a layer of credibility for Cui Du’s background. Secondly, because the Qinghe Cui Family was flourishing, abundant in talent and full of family influence, whereas the Boling Cui Family was easier to manipulate.

Li Ying smiled and glanced at her husband, "Though not of the same clan, since they share the surname Cui, it’s closer than others. Now that you’re in the Prince Mansion, meet Mr. Cui in private."

County Magistrate Cui, no longer as pretentious or proud as before, was now more pragmatic, nodding with a smile in agreement.

The next day, the Commandery Princess summoned County Magistrate Cui and the others to enter the Prince Mansion. After official business was completed, during a small luncheon, County Magistrate Cui found an opportunity to toast Cui Du with a cup of fine wine.

Among the Fourteen Counties of Nanyang, County Magistrate Cui has the best background, the youngest, and the most handsome. Cui Du’s first impression of County Magistrate Cui was quite favorable, and he smiled while raising his cup for a toast.

As it happened, after County Magistrate Cui initiated the toast, the other County Magistrates came forward one by one to toast and draw closer to Cui Du.

Cui Du, being straightforward and honest, without a hint of cunning, was surrounded by the County Magistrates and continued drinking cup after cup.

Fearing that Cui Du might get drunk again, Cui Ping took the initiative to go over and shield him from further drinking. Cui Wang and the others also gathered around.

Jiang Shaohua watched this unfold and was satisfied, smiling with raised corners of her mouth.

Choosing Boling Cui Family for Cui Du’s background was indeed a correct decision. For the Boling Cui Family, whose familial influence was waning, Cui Du, soon to be titled Elder Changning by the court, was of immense importance and was bound to become the most outstanding son of the Cui Family’s generation.

Looking ahead, the Boling Cui Family will surely provide labor, silver, and effort for Cui Du, essentially channeling some family resources his way...

In conclusion, the Nanyang Prince Mansion loses nothing at all.